Austin Wells' bizarre response to live hitting adds to Yankees concerns for 2025

The New York Yankees organization couldn't be less educated on the term "vibes", if we're to judge how almost anything — with regard to speaking to the media or punching back against a hated opponent/rival — has gone since 2018.

There are some pillars of the "vibe" characteristic that are out of one's control, like injuries, for example. But much of it is driven by personalities, inter-personal relationships, and an overall sense of the human element of the game.

The Yankees front office has failed on many fronts with this, whether it's constructing the wrong group of personalities or making chemistry-shifting decisions without even considering the potential backlash or effect.

Can't say the players are much better! Remember the 2024 April/May Yankees were "dawgs" led by Alex Verdugo? That came to an abrupt end the moment the slugger endured a slump, and the barking never returned. How about in 2023, when Aaron Hicks called out the Yankees before Game 3 of the season about his role? Just a few of many instances fans have experienced of late.

So far this offseason, we have the Marcus Stroman trade rumors that have resulted in unnecessary drama and further stirring from the media. The Yankees could've taken care of this months ago, and they didn't. Most recently we've been hit withGiancarlo Stanton's double elbow injury that puts his Opening Day availability in jeopardy.

And now we have whatever this was from starting catcher Austin Wells, who is expected to be a meaningful contributor in 2025.

Yankees' Austin Wells claims he's not ready to swing against live pitchers yet

Multiple videos surfaced of Wells going down on strikes against Yankees pitchers. But that was hardly the problem. Everyone noticed the lumber wasn't coming off his shoulder, which has prompted rightful questions from those watching the action.

Perhaps there's validity to Wells taking his time. Perhaps he's correctly responding to his physical progress this offseason. Perhaps he's gleaned some insight from his struggles late in 2024 and he's making what he feels are the appropriate adjustments to avoid such a backslide in 2025. Perhaps he's just waiting for the official action to begin with position players reporting to camp Sunday and the first full-squad workout scheduled for Monday.

But have you ever heard such an explanation? Maybe this by itself wouldn't have sounded so bad, but you put it alongside the Stroman and Stanton issues and it's just as deflating as it can get to start off a brand new year after an embarrassing World Series exit.

With how little faith fans have in the other two problems resolving themselves quickly and seamlessly, Wells' "no swing" moratorium better pay dividends, because his ascension is key to the Yankees' success.